Las Vegas and surrounding areas are bracing for a gusty few days according to the latest update from the National Weather Service based in Las Vegas, with strong winds and blowing dust expected to pose challenges to residents and travelers alike. Today's temperatures remain warm but the atmosphere is looking to stir up some trouble, as winds are forecasted to ramp up this afternoon, setting the stage for more forceful gusts on Monday that could reach 40-50 mph in some places. If you're planning on venturing out onto highways or enjoying a day on the lakes, it might be wise to reconsider as wind advisories are in effect, signaling a day to take care on the roads and perhaps a not-so-great day for boating.
A statement obtained by the National Weather Service Las Vegas makes it clear that the Sierra, Owens Valley, and White Mountains are already under a Wind Advisory, with "gusts 40-50 MPH are likely in the valleys with gusts over 60 MPH in the terrain." For those planning on hitting the waters of Lake Mead, Mohave, and Havasu, expect choppy conditions with south winds to 25 MPH causing waves of 1-3 feet. As the week begins, a trough digging into northern California is expected to bring even more widespread and strong gusty winds, and with that, a chance for patchy blowing dust that could stretch across the I-15, motorists take heed the heat isn't the only thing to look out for.
Moving into the longer-term outlook, there's a bit of a breeze reprieve in store after Monday's bluster, but don't let your guard down Tuesday despite a downward wind trend as the area could see showers, thunderstorms, and cooler temperatures, particularly around Lincoln County Panhandle. "The greatest chance for precipitation will be across the Lincoln County Panhandle, where there is a 30-50% chance of measurable precipitation," notes the NWS Las Vegas release; keep in mind that this relief might also bring some unexpected lightning and winds. It'll be the coolest day of the week with highs ranging from the 60s and 70s in most areas, and though there will be a warming trend starting Wednesday, any hot streak will be kept in check by the circumstances of the skies above.
For aviators, the NWS Las Vegas outlines clear flying conditions but with the caveat that winds will be making their mighty presence felt; gusty south-southwest winds to start in the morning will persist, complicating takeoffs and landings especially during peak gust periods in the afternoon and early evening. While VFR conditions will dominate the airspace, pilots will want to be particularly mindful of those high clouds that tend to decorate the desert sky, and of course, stay updated on changing winds that "develop later this morning across the region, persisting through at least sunset," especially given the likelihood of lakeside winds lingering into the evening.
As for those in the know and contributing to the hive-mind of weather watching, the NWS encourages spotters to keep on reporting significant weather or impacts according to their procedures.
